Egypt will join world states marking the annual global Earth Hour by turning off the lights of a number of landmarks for one hour on Saturday.
Through social media platforms, Egypt called on citizens to switch off lights and turn off unnecessary electric home appliances from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday in a bid to raise public awareness on the seriousness of increased energy consumption and its negative impact on planet earth.
Environment Minister Yassmin Fouad said the increased effects of climate change on world countries, manifested in sever weather fluctuations, floods, fires and land degradation, prompted wide-scale participation in marking global Earth Hour this year to increase awareness of the importance of facing environment challenges.
Last year, Earth Hour saw participation from over 180 countries worldwide, totaling 1.4 million hours, up from 410,000 hours observed in 2023. The world now aims to reach a new record in 2025, she added.
She reiterated Egypt’s keenness to participate annually in this global initiative organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Egypt first joined Earth Hour in 2008, becoming one of 88 countries, 4,000 cities, and 929 iconic landmarks worldwide that turned off their lights in a bid to protect planet earth from effects of climate change.
Egypt is also among the first Arab countries to take part in Earth Hour, with the number of participants exceeding 3.5 billion people worldwide.
